Missoula to Petaluma road trip advice needed (car camping in Elko, Reno, ETC)

Driving out to my parents' new digs in Petaluma. I've flown out plenty of times when they lived in the East Bay, but recently their old labradoodle died, and I have a puppy. Oh, and I'm turning 40 on the 13th.
I figure I can make the drive in 2 days and stop overnight in Elko, NV? Mags must be familiar with that area. Where is a good car camping spot in or near town? I figure NF campgrounds will be closed around then, or at least in danger of being snowed in if up in the mountains. My plane is to leave Missoula the morning of the 11th, stop in Elko, then head across the desert to California the next morning. Any nice spots in Elko to walk/run the dog? Also, what's around Reno and Tahoe this time a year in case I get too tired? Also, not sure when I'm heading back. Probably the 18th or 19th, and I can take longer on the way home, so maybe leave Petaluma in the evening and hangout in Reno?
tl;dr Need tips for things to do with a pup and places to camp in/near Idaho Falls, Elko, Reno.
Also, looks like a few different ways to get to 80, and I'll be skirting Boise. Anyone have any preference? Might even be taking 80 to 15 on the way back and dropping in on my sister-in-law in Twin Bridges, MT on the way back. It's not terribly out of the way to spend a weekend night there.
There look to be parks and stuff in Elko. Good spot to let the dog off leash for a bit? Can you spend the night in one or will I get arrested? There's money for a motel, but I'd prefer not. Outback is actually comfortable to sleep in I suppose I'm passing a lot of nature. Also, would love food and drink recommendations. I'll have a jetboil and camp food, but I figure I could get away with 1 or 2 micros and maybe a good burger/taco/whatever.
TIA

Am I way off. I Googled this before, and should I stop somewhere in Idaho or Oregon? Kinda looks like the middle of nowhere, and Google says it's 10 minutes longer, but it seems more direct.

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What would you recommend here?

First route is better. Stay in the trees as long as possible, you'll get enough desert on that drive.

Skip Elko and stay at angel lake campground outside Wells. Hike to the far side of the lake and jump. You're welcome.

It's odd you're looking for camping near the big cities, much better/easier camping to be had outside the smaller towns.
Truckee/Tahoe, not Reno. Etc.

I'd stay at angel lake, then Truckee/Tahoe, then on to Petaluma.

Edit to add...
Elko is a nice little city and has numerous options for lodging and good eats and drinks, If that is what you were looking for for the night, But I don't recall any of them offhand, I only stopped there once and was surprised.
I always prefer a beautiful secluded mountain lake to spend the night myself though.

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Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

Attachment 501371
What would you recommend here?

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Is that route thru OR on hwy 95 thru Rome, Basque & McDermott?
If so, don’t go that way. It’s 200 miles shorter and a longer time for a reason. You’re a long way from any services for a long fucking time.

ETA - I see that a route thru Spokane, Tri Cities, Bend, Klamath Falls, Redding and Vacaville is 100 miles shorter and almost same time as the main route you posted. And a lot more populated. Bend is half way. Lots of dispersed camping around here. I’ll take you fishing on the Metolius - leave your house at 0600, and I’ll have you on the river in time for the 3pm hatch.

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Originally Posted by heckacali

First route is better. Stay in the trees as long as possible, you'll get enough desert on that drive.

Skip Elko and stay at angel lake campground outside Wells. Hike to the far side of the lake and jump. You're welcome.

It's odd you're looking for camping near the big cities, much better/easier camping to be had outside the smaller towns.
Truckee/Tahoe, not Reno. Etc.

I'd stay at angel lake, then Truckee/Tahoe, then on to Petaluma.

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I have never been to Reno or Truckee, so I thought it would be nice to check it out on the way home when I have more time. Will Agel Lake Campground be open in another week?

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Originally Posted by TBS

Is that route thru OR on hwy 95 thru Rome, Basque & McDermott?
If so, don’t go that way. It’s 200 miles shorter and a longer time for a reason. You’re a long way from any services for a long fucking time.

ETA - I see that a route thru Spokane, Tri Cities, Bend, Klamath Falls, Redding and Vacaville is 100 miles shorter and almost same time as the main route you posted. And a lot more populated. Bend is half way. Lots of dispersed camping around here. I’ll take you fishing on the Metolius - leave your house at 0600, and I’ll have you on the river in time for the 3pm hatch.

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Good to know!

Looks like I get off the highway near Pocatello/Chubbuck. Where's a good place to stretch and let the dog out not too far out of the way?
What's in Wells/Elko if Campgrounds are closed?

Angel lake should be open, It's open year-round pending weather, and there's no weather on the horizon that I'm aware of.
no reservations needed, just roll in and find a spot in the loop to park. No facilities just a couple of toilets.
Simple chill beautiful spot with cool views on the drive up and down the hill. About 20 minutes off the interstate.

Look up the campsite and photos and see if it's something that appeals to you.
Elko definitely has a lot more going on versus absolutely nothing going on at Angel lake. Depends what you're looking for.

It does look good for camping. I'll probably be so zonked from driving that I'll just want to sleep. But I could always go for some "local flavor" of some kind.
Also, seriously, I need places to stretch and let the dog out.
And places to camp between Reno and Truckee in case I'm not gonna make it. I'd even be happy for someone's driveway. My pup is an 8 month old cow dog mutt. A bit of a spaz, but super friendly and seems to roll over for any dog. Very non-confrontational. Does well off leash.

Between Reno and Truckee is a 30 minute twisty interstate drive with no real camping options once you leave Reno/Verdi and hit Truckee (glenshire exit).
If you make the run past Verdi and are too shagged to make Truckee proper, head north off hirshdale exit towards Boca/stampede reservoirs and look for the campsite signs along the Boca reservoir. You'll likely have any of them to yourself and pooch can run amuck.

Donner memorial State Park is another great easy access campground just outside downtown Truckee, on Donner lake, beautiful views, Donner historical museum, and a short drive to downtown.

I've driven both those routes.
I drove from Whitefish back to Tahoe through the corner of Oregon route, left Whitefish at 8 AM and was pulling into Reno about midnight.
Since leaving Missoula puts you a couple hours closer, if you left at 6AM, you could probably make it to Petaluma by midnight.
1 big day!
Especially since you're considering taking your time on the way back, just bust out the inbound.
If you're beat and just can't finish, plenty of easy places to sack out for the night once you're in the Sierra.
Then easy & quick to be there by lunch the next day.

I’ve driven Missoula to the Bay Area a bunch of times. I would go over Lolo Pass out to Pendleton then down through Bend to Shasta.


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The Elko red lion rocks


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Yes, thumbs up for Angel Lake, or the other Angel Something campsite that's about 1000' lower down if the lake campground is full. I've reserved sites at both through recreation.gov, but it may be FCFS season now. I also camped once at a strange outpost called Bonneville Seabase, south of 80 in western Utah, a run down place that used to host SCUBA lessons; the woman there invited me to help feed the fish in the morning.

The little Mexican joint in Battle Mountain NV, El Aguila Real, is surprisingly good.

I own an acre near Elko towards the Ruby's. I'll give you the APN # if you can find it you can stay however long

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Originally Posted by heckacali

Donner memorial State Park is another great easy access campground just outside downtown Truckee, on Donner lake, beautiful views, Donner historical museum, and a short drive to downtown.

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The rangers were ticketing off leash dogs the other day.

Going at least one direction I'd head south a bit and go over one of the cool Sierras passes like Ebbetts (Hwy 4), Sonora (108) or Tioga (Yosemite, 120). At Reno head south on 395 or up to Tahoe basin (worthwhile if not a weekend) to get there. If you have time, the other direction head up the 1/101 as far north as you have time for, then cross over.

Just drove that route down from Helena a couple weeks ago, towing my trailer. Stayed in Twin Falls first night at the KOA, went downtown and hit Koto Brewing. Good place. The Evel Knievel jump spot would be a good place to run stop with the dog. Second night stayed in Truckee at Village Camp Truckee. Nice campground with a great free bfast Saturday mornings. Lotsa dog folks. Hit the Truckee Brewing Company outpost , good beer, cool place. Did not go downtown. 80 west of Truckee was hellish pulling an RV. Been traveling around two weeks and are heading back to MT via the same route tomorrow. Really fun trip.

Thanks for all the tips! Maybe angle lake on the way out and Elko red lion on the way back.

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Originally Posted by byates1

I own an acre near Elko towards the Ruby's. I'll give you the APN # if you can find it you can stay however long

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Why does this sound like a prank that ends with me being cited for trespassing?

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Originally Posted by old goat

The rangers were ticketing off leash dogs the other day.

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Not even a warning? They that hard up for money?

Stuck, have you ever done the drive over Lolo Pass, all the way along the Lochsa/Clearwater, through Riggins, etc? If not, you should see that part of your backyard. Personally, that is the route I would take anyways because I prefer staying off interstates if the overall drive time is similar, and it is. The fact that there is very little for long parts of the drive is, in my view, a bonus.

I also agree with evdog that if you have time, and if you've never done it, heading north on Highway 1 along the coast on your way back is absolutely worth doing. Google maps puts it at 21 hours to take 101 on the entire CA coast north of Petaluma all the way to Crescent City before heading inland to I5. That is absolutely worth the extra ~4.5 hours if you have time to spare. There are lots of campgrounds on the drive...my wife and I drove from Missoula to Santa Rosa (hitting the coast somewhere in OR, I don't recall where) in October a few years ago without getting on the freeway once and it was a very memorable trip.

No, it's really completely out of control with off leash dogs

It is known as "dog Beach" although it is a state park and has leash laws in place.
Most dogs and owners are fine but in general,
But.too many owners 0 fucks given, and many poorly managed dogs.

Just last night I had to tell a lady her 2 Goldens took big craps on the beach where my kids were playing as she just walked merrily on oblivious to any responsibility.

Dont get me started.on those who leave the full poo bags behind.

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Originally Posted by RootSkier

Stuck, have you ever done the drive over Lolo Pass, all the way along the Lochsa/Clearwater, through Riggins, etc? If not, you should see that part of your backyard. Personally, that is the route I would take anyways because I prefer staying off interstates if the overall drive time is similar, and it is. The fact that there is very little for long parts of the drive is, in my view, a bonus.

I also agree with evdog that if you have time, and if you've never done it, heading north on Highway 1 along the coast on your way back is absolutely worth doing. Google maps puts it at 21 hours to take 101 on the entire CA coast north of Petaluma all the way to Crescent City before heading inland to I5. That is absolutely worth the extra ~4.5 hours if you have time to spare. There are lots of campgrounds on the drive...my wife and I drove from Missoula to Santa Rosa (hitting the coast somewhere in OR, I don't recall where) in October a few years ago without getting on the freeway once and it was a very memorable trip.

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Thanks for the tips. Sounds awesome, but I'm gonna be myself so I just want this over as fast as possible. Also, 13th is my birthday, so I'd rather not be driving all day.